Ex-Counseling Center doctor appeals license suspension

Katie White

Staff Writer

kwhite@mojonews.com

EAST PALESTINE — A Columbiana County doctor who had an affair with his co-worker has filed an appeal in Franklin County court against his Ohio medical license suspension.

Dr. Christopher R. Seman of East Palestine filed the appeal in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court last month.

The court has approved his request of a stay on the case, meaning that his license to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery remains active while the court decides on the appeal.

The Ohio Medical Board had ordered a suspension of his license for an indefinite term no less than at least one year following a hearing in September.

According to public records available on the state medical board website, the board ordered the suspension on the basis that Seman engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient and had written prescriptions for her without filling out a patient record or performing an examination.

Seman had said in the September hearing that he was not aware that writing out prescriptions for the woman meant she was his patient.

The woman worked with Seman at the Counseling Center in Lisbon and the two carried on an affair between 2013 and 2015 during which Seman wrote out prescriptions for birth control, an antidepressant, antibiotics and other non-controlled substances for her.

Seman self-reported to the state medical board in 2015.

In the appeal filed with the Franklin County court, Seman argued that the license suspension was not supported by reliable, probable and substantial evidence and was not in accordance with the law.

The woman’s identity has not been disclosed in documents due to the fact that the case considers elements relating to her health which is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.